Monday, September 11, 2023
On September 8 (Fri.), the first shipment of new Sunflower Rice (sake rice, glutinous rice, and Uruchi rice) produced in 2023 was held at JA Kitasorachi Hokuryu Branch Office (Branch Manager Kimitoshi Washio).
First shipment of new rice "Sunflower Rice" produced in 2023
First shipment by Yasunori Watanabe and Mamoru Hiraba, Keiji Fujii, and Takashi Ishii
Three farmers, Yasunori Watanabe, Mamoru Hiraba (sake rice and comet), Keiji Fujii (glutinous rice), and Takashi Ishii (Uruchi rice), brought their new rice to the produce collection and shipping facility.
Effects of high temperatures and drought
This year, the protein content tends to be slightly higher than in previous years due to high-temperature disorders and drought tendencies caused by the summer heat.
Rice Inspection
In the inspection room, the quality of shipped rice is inspected (percentage of grains in order, moisture content, protein chamber content, body split grain rate, green unripeness rate, etc.).
Talk by Hirokuni Kitakiyo, Hokuryu District Representative Director, JA Kitasorachi
This year's rice is just starting to appear, but we are not seeing as much quality as last year because there are some milky grains and powdery grains, and low protein rice (protein content of 6.8% or less) is not showing up.
Yields were high, but some rice failed to gain weight due to drought tendencies caused by high temperature problems. There were also many rice plants that fell down due to strong winds. The harvest season was earlier than usual, and it has not been common for the harvest to begin before the Fall Festival," said Mr. Kitakiyo, District Representative Director.
Yasunori Watanabe (Sake Rice)
All of the "Comet" sake rice is grade A (70% or higher grain quality and 15% or lower moisture content). However, this year's conditions are not as good as in the past few years due to high temperatures, typhoons, and drought conditions," said Watanabe.
Mr. Yutaka Sano, Mayor of Hokuryu Town, Mr. Kiyomasa Iwata, President of JA Kitasorachi, and Mr. Naoto Matsuda, Representative Director of JA Kitasorachi Ichimi
Iwata Association President's Rice Resin business card
JA Kitasorachi uses environmentally friendly "rice resin" for business cards.
Rice Resin is a plastic made from inedible rice using proprietary technology. By mixing up to 70% rice, this material can contribute to the reduction of petroleum-based plastic content.
The card has a slightly transparent, light brown color finish.
Ears of Japanese pampas grass, glistening white and silver, are fluffy and swaying in the wind.
Rice harvesting in the Kosaku district
Rice harvesting in the Furusaku district started on Monday, September 4 (photo shows harvesting on September 7).
Masterful combine harvester skillfully harvesting even fallen rice
Rice being harvested
Loading operations into containers
Rice paddies after harvest
Ears of rice brimming with vitality
We are grateful for the great blessings of Mother Nature, and we are also grateful for the new "Sunflower Rice" grown with love and vigor in the town of Hokuryu, with our prayers and endless love.
More Photos
Click here for 74 photos of the first shipment of sunflower rice 2023 >> Click here for 47 photos of golden rice ears and harvest 2023 >>Related Articles
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◇ Reporting and writing by Ikuko Terauchi (Photography and editorial assistance by Noboru Terauchi)
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